Fleet, Clara Cliftene Mathis   	

GILMER - Cliftene Mathis Fleet, 87, rejoined her husband, James; her son, 
Robbie; and her parents, Randolph and Ethel James, on Easter, April 8, 
2007.

Cliftene was born October 14, 1919, in Latch, Texas. A beloved only child, 
and other than for a short time spent in beauty school in Dallas, she spent 
her entire life in and around Gilmer, Texas. She met her only true love, a 
quiet brown-eyed football player with wavy, black hair from Big Sandy named 
James Fleet. She thought he was handsome, but what she loved most about him 
was that he was a Christian. They enjoyed a 55-year marriage, ending with 
his death in 1994.

During that period of time and since, the Fleet family has been well-known 
for many reasons, but probably foremost for their steadfast Christianity, 
developed and nourished by Cliftene's guiding hand. She owned and operated 
the Charm Beauty Salon, just north of the square, and touched many lives 
working in Gilmer as a hairdresser for 50 years.

Cliftene was the rarest of individuals. She had virtually all of the best 
qualities of a Christian mother, wife, daughter, grandmother, great-
grandmother and friend. All who knew Cliftene knew her quiet faith in God, 
a faith that sustained her in difficult times, guided her life and her 
teachings and enriched her life. She was everyone's favorite relative and 
best friend simply because she cared. She was the ultimate encourager, 
always positive, ever supportive and overly generous, all while wearing a 
sweet smile. Her example of unfailing and unlimited love has been a 
blessing to everyone who had known her.

A thread of her love and devotion is woven into the fabric of our lives 
forever.

God sent one of His most precious angels to earth for but a short time, 
and she has now returned to her heavenly home.

Cliftene is survived by her daughter, Elaine Lawrence and husband, Bill 
of Fort Worth; her daughter-in-law, Linda Ferguson and husband, Leland of 
Tyler; and grandchildren, Gary Fleet and wife, Brenda of Tyler, Randy 
Fleet and wife, Debe of Tyler, Lisa Holland and husband, Jeff of Dallas 
and Chip Lawrence of Houston. She is also survived by her absolutely 
perfect great-grandchildren, Tyler, Austin, Autumn, Ashlyn, Jude and Beck.

Cliftene's service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 12, 2007, at 
the Gilmer Church of Christ. Burial will follow the service. Cliftene 
will be laid next to her husband, James, at Sunset Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to Christian Services of East Texas, 
13359 Hwy. 155 S., Tyler, TX 75703; or Hospice of East Texas, 4111 
University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday evening, April 11, 2007, 
at Croley Funeral Home.

"Love Never Fails."

~ I Corinthians 13:8

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 4/10/2007.